From Sinai to Kadesh
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which were upon the face of the earth,” and this is why he was granted
divine wisdom and guidance above all others. Says the Scripture, “The
meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His
way.”
Psalm 25:9
. The meek are guided by the Lord, because they
are teachable, willing to be instructed. They have a sincere desire to
know and to do the will of God. The Saviour’s promise is, “If any man
will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.”
John 7:17
. And He
declares by the apostle James, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask
of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall
be given him.”
James 1:5
. But His promise is only to those who are
willing to follow the Lord wholly. God does not force the will of any;
hence He cannot lead those who are too proud to be taught, who are
bent upon having their own way. Of the double-minded man—he who
seeks to follow his own will, while professing to do the will of God—it
is written, “Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the
Lord.”
James 1:7
.
God had chosen Moses, and had put His Spirit upon him; and
Miriam and Aaron, by their murmurings, were guilty of disloyalty,
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not only to their appointed leader, but to God Himself. The seditious
whisperers were summoned to the tabernacle, and brought face to face
with Moses. “And Jehovah came down in the pillar of the cloud, and
stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam.”
Their claim to the prophetic gift was not denied; God might have
spoken to them in visions and dreams. But to Moses, whom the Lord
Himself declared “faithful in all Mine house,” a nearer communion
had been granted. With him God spake mouth to mouth. “Wherefore
then were ye not afraid to speak against My servant Moses? And the
anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and He departed.” The
cloud disappeared from the tabernacle in token of God’s displeasure,
and Miriam was smitten. She “became leprous, white as snow.” Aaron
was spared, but he was severely rebuked in Miriam’s punishment.
Now, their pride humbled in the dust, Aaron confessed their sin, and
entreated that his sister might not be left to perish by that loathsome
and deadly scourge. In answer to the prayers of Moses the leprosy was
cleansed. Miriam was, however, shut out of the camp for seven days.
Not until she was banished from the encampment did the symbol of
God’s favor again rest upon the tabernacle. In respect for her high